Hamden Hall celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Hamden Hall holds sports clinic for girls

Published 1:18 pm, Sunday, February 1, 2015

Girls from the community were introduced to several sports Sunday at Hamden Hall Country Day School in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Girls from the community were introduced to several sports Sunday at Hamden Hall Country Day School in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

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Hamden Hall celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day

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HAMDEN >> National Girls and Women in Sports Day is officially Wednesday, but Hamden Hall Country Day School got off to an early start Sunday by hosting a program to introduce several sports to girls ages 8-14.

By the end of the day, the 50 or so girls from throughout the community each were to go through 20-minute clinics in basketball, swimming, dancing, soccer and lacrosse. The program was free.

School Athletic Director David Doyle said it’s “amazing” what the school’s coaches can accomplish with the girls in 20 minutes and it’s good for the participants to “step out of their comfort zone.”

Before they took to the gymnasium floor, Doyle told the group of girls, “I want you to have fun,” and at the end of each session, “I want you to have a smile on your face.” He told them not to be afraid or shy.

School spokeswoman Dawn Miceli said participation is one of the core values at Hamden Hall, so the school’s students typically are involved in sports of some kind already, which is why so few students from the school participated.

“If we can inspire one gal, how awesome is that?” she said.

Tracy Matthews’ 11-year-old daughter, who attends a public school in Hamden, already participates in many sports, so she wanted to attend the day of clinics.

“I think the concept is great,” Matthews said.

Vin Caruso of North Haven brought his two daughters, ages 10 and 8, in hopes their interest in sports would be sparked, especially basketball. Elizabeth Boyce of New Haven brought her two youngest daughters; her oldest daughter attends Hamden Hall.

“I love the fact that the kids get to try sports they may not get to do on a seasonal basis,” Boyce said.

The day celebrated nationally on Feb. 4 is a program of the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King, and according to its website, is “dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity.”